Work With Me

Problems with debt can be stressful and confusing; you want to be sure you pick the right attorney to help you solve them. Here are a few reasons you should consider hiring me to work with you.

I’m Experienced

I was working on debt-relief solutions before I even attended law school. A friend of mine, Mark Bromley, worked in this field for 30 years before leaving private practice to accept a position as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin. When I told him about my plans to enroll in law school, he started showing me the ropes. He guided me as I learned how to interview prospective clients, analyze financial situations, recommend options, and prepare bankruptcy paperwork.

While I was in school, I was also working for Mark, benefitting from his experience. (After all, why reinvent the wheel?) My favorite classes in law school revolved around creditor/debtor relations, and I took as many of them as I could. After graduation, Mark and I became partners in the law firm of Bromley & Nason. I started my law career later in life than most, but I hit the ground running. Today, many local attorneys refer clients with debt issues to me and contact me for information about bankruptcy issues that arise with their own clients.

I Only Represent Debtors

My entire practice is focused on representing debtors. I don’t represent banks or other creditors and I don’t do collection work. I provide debt relief solutions, including filing bankruptcy cases, for individuals and small businesses. If you’re looking for an attorney to handle your divorce, OWI, or personal injury case, I can’t help you (but I know some excellent attorneys who can). I believe that by focusing on this one area of law, I can better serve my clients. I stay up-to-date with the latest changes in relevant law, understand the problems that cause bankruptcies, and can anticipate the issues that may develop during a bankruptcy. A general practice attorney who practices in many areas of law may be able to file your bankruptcy case for you, but do you really want to trust your financial future to a jack of all trades?

Personal Service

I practice law “one-on-one.” I work as a sole practitioner in a one-person office in Platteville. When you call, I answer the phone. There are no assistants, associates, or paralegals to get between you and your lawyer. I provide friendly, personalized bankruptcy advice, counsel, and representation to individuals & small businesses throughout southwestern Wisconsin.

Some larger firms handle many cases at a time, running clients through a virtual “bankruptcy mill.” You may deal with assistants or paralegals more than with your lawyer. At your 341 meeting, you may be represented by someone you have never met. I prefer to take a smaller number of cases and give each client individualized attention.

Reasonable Rates & Convenient Payment Options

Let’s face it; if you’re coming to see me, you probably don’t have a cloud of cash drifting in your wake as you walk down the street. If you’re considering bankruptcy, how can you afford to pay a lawyer?

In a Chapter 7 case, the fees must be paid before I can file your case. Otherwise, I’d have a conflict of interest, as I’d be a creditor just like that debt collector who’s been hounding you. I can’t be both your attorney trying to discharge your debts AND a creditor hoping to get paid. I’m sure you can see the ethical problem. However, I can start preparing your paperwork and keep everything up-to-date while you make payments in whatever amount and at whatever interval works for you. Some clients borrow the money from a friend or family member and repay it after filing; others find they can afford monthly payments if they just stop making credit card payments.

In Chapter 13 cases, a portion of your legal fees can be paid through the Chapter 13 reorganization plan. Although the fees for a Chapter 13 are generally higher than the fees for a Chapter 7, you can get the case filed quicker if you’re short on cash but have a need to file soon (garnishment, small claims suit, etc.)

In any case, while I can’t quote an exact fee without knowing the specifics of your situation, my rates are reasonable and affordable. I know that my clients wouldn’t be visiting me if they had a lot of disposable income. As an additional safeguard, the Bankruptcy Court reviews legal fees in every bankruptcy case. Attorney fees will be denied by the Court if the judge feels the attorney is charging too much.

I’ll Make Sure You Understand What We’re Doing Each Step Of The Way

Unless you’re not interested in the details (and I realize you might be too tired to deal with this stuff any longer), I’ll explain your options thoroughly and tell you the reasons behind my recommendations. My teaching background ensures that you’ll be well-informed and you’ll understand each step we take together. I will always treat you with respect and I will never answer your questions with, “because I said so!”

I also understand the emotional discomfort that my clients often feel. I’ll make sure that you will be familiar and comfortable with each step we must take to resolve your financial problems. At our first meeting, there will be no pressure, no hard sell, and no demands to follow my advice. I’ll listen to your concerns, analyze your situation, present you with options, and recommend one or two of them. You can then consider those options in the privacy of your own home before making a decision.

Advice Customized To Your Personal Situation

Your financial situation is unique to you. Why submit to some big firm that gives the same generic, cookie-cutter advice to every client? Many of those firms place a premium on getting clients in and out of the office as quickly as possible. I may spend more time with you than some other lawyers will, but I’m confident that by the end of our first meeting, I’ll know more about where your finances are and where you want them to be.

You’ll be doing most of the talking at our first meeting. Once I have a grasp on the situation, I’ll explain what I can do for you. I’ll also explain what I can’t do for you and why that particular solution isn’t right for you.

Filing bankruptcy isn’t easy. When calling for the first time, many clients ask, “So what do I do first?” After all, this is something you’ve probably never done before. I try to make it as easy as possible for you to work with me.

Once you’ve read through this site and found the information you need, the next step is to contact me. You can call me at (608) 348-4466 or email me at bret@nasonlawfirm.com. We’ll set up an appointment for you to come to my Platteville office and talk.

You don’t need to bring anything to our first meeting. But feel free to bring any documents relating to a lawsuit or anything you believe will help you answer my questions. I’ll want to know how much your assets are worth, how much you owe against them, how much you owe to other creditors, etc.

When we meet, we’ll talk for about an hour. You won’t be charged for this initial meeting and you won’t be pressured to make any decisions. You’ll tell me about your financial situation and any specific concerns you have. I’ll present you with a few options and suggest one or two that I think make the most sense in your case. I’ll also tell you how much I will charge to represent you and offer you a fee agreement to review at your convenience. You’ll take the paperwork home, discuss the options with your family and/or friends, and decide how you would like to proceed. If you choose to hire me to file bankruptcy for you, the rest of the steps in the process can be found HERE.